Recently took the leap from an integrated to separates and couldn't be happier. This system is the end (so far) of a long journey of upgrades and tweaking and I'm quite content at this point. I may play around some with cabling, but I can't really envision any short term upgrades in components. The VAC's and Dodd are magical together.
Valve Amplification Company Auricle 70/70 Monblocs
Wonderful KT88 based monoblocks. Using Genelex Reissue KT88's and NOS Mullard 12UA7's.
Valve Amplification Company Renaissance MKII Preamp
Full function with MC/MM phono section and separate power supply. Three 12AX7's in the phono and two 8416's and two 12AX7's in the line section. Remote controlled, with balanced and SE in's/out and HT pass through. Really sweet piece.
GNSC Modded Resolution Audio Opus 21
Redbook CDP - With Reference Mods from Great Northern Sound. With RSA Exousias umbilical. Wow!
Vortexbox Appliance
NAS storage for music library.
Sonos Connect
Wireless Digital Streaming device
Merlin Music Systems TSM-MMe
Latest lead free version, with zobel networks and jumpers.
Martin Logan Dynamo (x2)
Powered SW with 10" woofer. I use two of these.
Velodyne SMS-1
Sub management/equalizer
Furman Elite 15 PFi
Power conditioner/ surge protector. Everything plugged into this unit including the amp. Great unit.
Tyler Acoustics Model One Stands
Spefically for Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors, but work well with the Merlins
Acoustic Zen Satori
Speaker cables, with Satori Jumpers
Gabriel Gold Rapture
Interconnect from Pre to Amp.
Audience AU24
1) DIN to RCA - between the Opus and VAC.
Purist Audio Aqueous
Digital Cable - from Squeezebox to Opus 21.
Audience PC
Connected to CDP.
Ridge Street Audio Exousias
Umbilical for the Opus 21.
Herbies - Tube Dampers and Footers
Tube Dampers all around and Isocup and tenderfeet footers under the VAC's and Dodd.
Brightstar Isonodes
Soft footers under both sections of the Opus 21. Amazing cheap tweak.
Cruz, great setup and great choice of speakers. If you have some vibrapods, try putting the 5.0's on them. I also have the 5.0's driven by an Audio Refinement Amp, just wonderful! I bought the factory stands and just tried and tried to like them for a couple months. Just missed too much of the bass microdynamics that I heard when I first tried the speakers on some lightweight stands without the energy absorbing pads. I think when you put them on the 'pods (or cones if you have them) you will hear much more bass information at low levels as well as better pitch definition. With the pods you will hear more mid-bass, but the bass impact through the floor will be less with the decoupling effect of the pods.
